This week I am spending with my father in Chicago, rather I’m spending evenings with my father, and all day by myself. It’s my first vacation since Portland back in September, and it’s much needed. Traveling seemed like more of a pain in the ass than usual this time. Going through the security checkpoint felt even more rushed than before. I was fumbling like one (not necessarily me…) might in the back of a car to take off my belt, my shoes, my jacket, my necklace, take out my computer and external hard drive from my backpack, and stuff it all in one bin when I should have used two. Walking away into the line for the metal detector I realized I was still clutching my backpack, so I rushed back and tossed it on top of my stuff as it moved into the X-Ray machine.

We walked quite a ways to our gate and found out five minutes after sitting down that we were now to board from another gate. We sat for half an hour, watching the guys out on the tarmac do whatever it is they do, until an announcement came on the PA system. “Boarding for flight 2442 will be delayed a few minutes because of an emergency exit door malfunction that must be resolved.” It was then I decided I would refuse to sit next to the emergency exit door this time.

The plane was smaller than I was used to, and a different airline than I was used to. The take-off was a little rough for others, but for some reason it made me giggle. No, I wasn’t high, it was just really funny. Landing wasn’t so funny. Landing made me want to die a little. Thankfully, the view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline made up for that moment of death wishes.

The train is another adventure. It’s not as nice as the ones in Portland, and probably much older. It was also extremely bumpy, but once again, the view was great. I saw a thousand things I wanted to photograph and explore, like the shabby houses right against the tracks, so close the windows must shake.

Oh and my dad’s apartment is about 6 blocks from the Sears Tower. It’s a beautiful place, but the train runs right next to it. It’s not a problem for my dad, he’s mostly deaf in both ears, but for a girl with fine hearing, it’s hard to sleep in this place…until they stop running at 1 AM. Luckily I’m a night owl.

More on this girl’s adventures in the big city on her own for the first time tomorrow!